USA Career Guide- Special Education Teachers
Education needed to be Special Education Teachers
To become special education teachers in the USA requires a Bachelors Degree in an
approved program for special education, some of these teachers major in elementary education or a
content area, such as math or chemistry, and minor in special education. Others
get a degree specifically in special education.
Certification
All states require teachers in public schools to be licensed.
Those who teach in private schools are not required to be licensed. Requirements for certification vary by state. They also
require completing a teacher preparation program and supervised experience in
teaching, which is typically gained through student teaching. Some states
require a minimum grade point average.
Advancement
Experienced teachers can advance to become mentor or lead
teachers. Mentors and lead teachers often work with less experienced teachers
to help them improve their teaching skills.
With additional education or certification, teachers may
become school counselors, school librarians, or instructional coordinators.
Pay of Special Education Teachers
The median annual wage of special education teachers was
$53,220 in May 2010. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $35,580, and the
top 10 percent earned more than $83,410.
The median annual wages for special education teachers by
grade level in May 2010 were as follows:
$54,810 for high school
special education teachers
$53,440 for middle school
special education teachers
$52,250 for preschool,
kindergarten and elementary school special education teachers
Source:Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition
Job Prospects of Special Education Teachers
Employment of special education teachers is expected to grow
by 17 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all
occupations. Growth is expected because of increasing enrollment and continued
demand for special education services.
The need to replace special
education teachers who switch to general education, change careers altogether,
or retire will lead to additional job openings. At the same time, many school
districts report shortages of qualified teachers. As a result, special
education teachers should have an excellent job prospects.
Enrollment of
special education students in kindergarten, elementary, and middle school
grades is expected to grow faster than that in high school grades. As a result,
employment of preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school special education
teachers is expected to grow 21 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the
average for all occupations, employment of middle school special education
teachers is expected to grow 20 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the
average for all occupations.
Job opportunities may be better in certain specialties, such
as early childhood intervention or working with students who have multiple
disabilities, severe disabilities, or autism spectrum disorders.
Industrial Overview of Special Education Teachers
Special education teachers held about 459,600 jobs in 2010. Special education teachers work in public and private
schools. Some teach in public magnet and charter schools. Others teach in
private religious and secular schools. Some work with young children in
childcare centers. A few special education teachers work in residential
facilities where special education students live or tutor students who must
stay at home or in the hospital.